Principal Defended Against Charges

Teachers, Students And Parents Join To Express Their Support Outside Middle School.

December 3, 2003|By Edgar Sandoval Education Writer

Dozens of sign-carrying teachers, students and parents gathered outside Silver Trail Middle School in Pembroke Pines on Tuesday morning to show support for principal Krista Herrera, who is accused of harassing teachers and staff members.

"Those accusations are false," said Claire Perdomo, president of the Silver Trail Parent Teacher Association, who along with teachers, students and other parents learned of the union's allegation's against the principal on Monday. "The accusations need to go so we all can go back to educating our kids. She is the most important part of the school."

The Broward County Teachers Union filed formal complaints with the Broward School District and the state Department of Education in June and July, saying Herrera has made working conditions uncomfortable for anyone who disagrees with her, said John Ristow, a union spokesman.

He said the union has investigated 26 complaints against Herrera since 1999, involving allegations of freedom of speech violations, defamation and slander, coercion and harassment.

Herrera is scheduled to appear before a Broward school district disciplinary board Dec. 10.

Supporters held hand-made signs showing their support for the principal: "Parents Love Ms. Herrera," "There is no intimidation in Silver Trail," and "Get rid of unhappy teachers."

"If a teacher who supports Ms. Herrera today came to us tomorrow with a complaint, we would objectively and fairly represent them, too," union President Pat Santeramo said.

District officials said the allegations were under investigation.

Herrera has been principal at Silver Trail since 1999. Before that, she was an assistant principal at Walter C. Young Middle in Pembroke Pines. Silver Trail has been an A school in 2002 and 2003.

Some students and staff said the mood at the school has been somber since news of the investigation became public, said Laura Ferine, a student counselor.

Herrera is the second Broward County principal to face harassment accusations this year. A Hollywood Park Elementary school counselor recently was granted a restraining order against her principal, Verne Hayhurst. The counselor, Lainie Wolfe, alleged that Hayhurst bumped into her in the halls and intimidated her in other ways. The district is investigating Wolfe for not doing her job properly.

Some of those picketing on Tuesday said about six teachers are unhappy with Herrera and have sought help from the union and Darla Carter, an at-large member of the Broward School Board, to oust her as principal. Board member Beverly Gallagher, who oversees Silver Trail Middle School, has maintained her support for Herrera.